Study Findings Show Infection Control Intervention Helps Keep Kids ...

BOSTON, June 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/----Disinfecting and using hand sanitizers helped reduceabsenteeism rates in elementary schools
A study from researchers at Children's Hospital Boston published inPediatrics found that a simple infection control intervention inelementary schools -- disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces andusing alcohol-based hand sanitizers -- helped reduceillness-related student absenteeism.
Illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses account for millions oflost school days each year.(1) According to Thomas Sandora, MD,MPH, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Children'sHospital Boston, "The best ways to avoid common infections arecleaning your hands and preventing exposure to the germs that causethese illnesses. Our research indicates that elementary schoolsshould consider a few simple infection control practices to helpkeep students healthier."
The study, led by Dr. Sandora, was a randomized, controlled trialinvolving 285 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students in anelementary school system in Avon, Ohio. Teachers in interventionclassrooms used disinfecting wipes on student desks, and studentsused hand sanitizer in the classroom at key points throughout theschool day. Control classrooms followed usual hand washing andcleaning procedures.
Over eight weeks, researchers tracked the frequency of absences andthe reasons for missing school. Study investigators also testedseveral classroom surfaces for total bacterial counts and for thepresence of several common viruses.
Researchers found absenteeism rates for gastrointestinal illnesseswere nine percent lower in classrooms that followed the infectioncontrol regimen of disinfecting surfaces and using alcohol-basedhand sanitizers. The absenteeism rate for respiratory illness wasnot affected by this intervention.
Gastrointestinal illnesses are extremely common for school-agechildren, and children can be at risk for these infections becauseof frequent exposure to ill peers and poor hand hygiene.(1) Infact, the bacteria and viruses that cause these gastrointestinalinfections can be easily passed from one person to another on thehands.(2) The germs can also survive on surfaces in theenvironment, where some of them can persist for hours to days.(1)
The study suggests that schools should consider adopting simpleinfection control practices, including disinfecting desktops once aday and using hand sanitizer before and after lunch, to help reducedays lost to common illnesses.
The study involved a single elementary school system (classroomslocated in two buildings) located in Avon, Ohio. Study funds, handsanitizer and disinfecting wipes were provided by The CloroxCompany (Oakland, Calif).
Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest researchenterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where itsdiscoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869.More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the NationalAcademy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children'sresearch community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children,Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed comprehensive centerfor pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values ofexcellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs anddiversity of children and families. Children's also is the primarypediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For moreinformation about the hospital and its research visit:www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.
(1) http://www.itsasnap.org/snap/references.asp#6
(2) http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm
SOURCE Children's Hospital Boston